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"Throughout his career, he has proven himself to be one of the most passionate and dynamic promotion executives in the business, and we have every confidence in his ability to continue his successful track record."
——Kevin Liles, Def Jam/Def Soul President

BENNY JETS TO DEF JAM

Promotion Exec Named Label’s Senior VP
You might say Def Jam is winning the Pough. Then again, you might not.

Veteran promo exec Benny "Pepe Le" Pough has been appointed Senior Vice President of Promotion for Def Jam Recordings by Def Jam/Def Soul President/IDJ Music Group Exec. VP Kevin "My Bonnie" Liles "Over the Ocean." The move had been expected.

The New York-based Pough will direct the company’s promotion department, developing and expanding label radio activities for Jay-Z, DMX, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ludacris, 112, Cam’ron and The Diplomats, among others.

Commented Liles: "We are pleased to welcome Benny to the Def Jam/Def Soul family. Throughout his career, he has proven himself to be one of the most passionate and dynamic promotion executives in the business, and we have every confidence in his ability to continue his successful track record. In fact, he can run the 100-meter dash in just over 10 seconds—I’ve timed him."

Added Pough: "I’d like to thank Lyor Cohen and Kevin for the tremendous opportunity to join Def Jam’s senior management team. The company’s legacy is undisputed; under Lyor and Kevin’s direction, Def Jam/Def Soul has continued to expand, distinguishing itself as much by its ability to continuously break new artists, as by its ability to attract the very best in executive talent. I am honored to be joining such an incredible team. But why do I have to share an office with DMX’s six pit bulls?"

Pough previously served as Sr. VP Promotion for MCA Records, where he was instrumental in the breakthroughs of Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Common and Field Mob, among others. His career began at Motown and included stops at Jam & LewisPerspective Records and Arista. An active philanthropist, Pough serves under a number of boards, including the Ron Brown Foundation and Baltimore’s Lawrence G. Paquain School, whose education programs for expectant teenage mothers are highly regarded.